WO2006051472A1

WO2006051472A1 - A chain

Info

Publication number: WO2006051472A1
Application number: PCT/IB2005/053647
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ugur Baki Ozer
Original assignee: Yapas Zincir Ve Dogme Sanayi Tic. Ltd. Sti.
Priority date: 2004-11-10
Filing date: 2005-11-07
Publication date: 2006-05-18

Abstract

This invention relates to a chain which is used particularly in load carrying systems. The characteristic of this invention, fundamentally, is that the circular bow shaped bed (10), which is concentric with the shaft (5), to be formed on both ends of the inner or outer connection element (2) guides the wedge (11) above the corresponding element (2).

Description

Description A CHAIN

[001] Technical Field

[002] This invention relates to a chain which is used particularly in load carrying systems.

[003] Prior Technical

[004] Chains with bushing are used widely in elevating carriage systems which require high capacity power transfer such as elevators.

[005] In the state of art the carrying chain consists of four fundamental elements: an inner connection element, an outer connection element, a bushing and a shaft.

[006] A corresponding pair of inner connection elements are coupled by tight fitting a bushing in each of the holes located in both of its end points. Inside the bushing there are shafts which are longer than the bushings and which can rotate freely around its own axis. An outer connection element is fastened on both ends of these shafts. Mounting a chain having a classic bushing is carried out in this way. The European patent application EP1065406 discloses a similar chain with bushing.

[007] Chains with bushings are generally used in actuating bucket elevator systems and these systems are for carrying heavy materials such as cement, bricks, coal and fertilizers. Therefore, the said chain must be produced such that it has high level of strength, resistance and durability and to meet its purposes it must have big dimensions. The chain with bushing travels long distances at high speed on the drum by means of its bendable structure. Its interrupted movement due to the sudden start and stop of the carriage system brings about the need to change suddenly the direction and angle of the chain on the drum and the gear. Moreover, it is necessary to assemble and disassemble and shorten and lengthen the chain frequently. All these processes bring about the risk of breaking of the large chain and the breaking up of the outer connection elements by being dislocated from the bushing axial direction. For these reasons, in the state of art various methods have been suggested to maintain the integrity of the chain.

[008] One of these methods utilizes latches which guide each other at the middle surfaces of the inner connection and the outer connection elements. German origin firm RUD, manufactures these types of carriage chains with RU 80 and RU 150 codes (Figure 1). However, the guiding latches (14) in these products have structurally sharp edges and notches. This structure increases tension and the tension accumulates at the end points (14a) and the cornices (14b) of the latches. This structure which increases tension is more important in materials which have high level of strength because in materials which possess these characteristics cracks and splits occur and spread rapidly at the points which are exposed to drag tension. In this situation breaking of the chain is inevitable.

[009] However, above the connection elements, on the paths where the latches fit, foreign bodies accumulate in quantities which hinder the operation of the chain due to the exposed structure of the guiding latches. This accumulation increases as the working environment has excessive amounts of soil and as the material carried in buckets generally have readily pourable granular structure. The accumulation of the granular corrosive material between the connection elements and the latches causes power loss in a substantial amount as it increases friction between the parts during movement and furthermore it shortens the durability of the chain as it causes corrosion in the parts.

[010] In chain production, which consists of casting, forging and chip formation process, shaping of the said latches requires substantially difficult and complex techniques. The structure of the latches makes it necessary to use moulds which comprise plurality of parts and detailed designs. This situation increases production costs as it leads to time, labor and material loss.

[011] A new guiding structure which is more effective and efficient is needed due to these reasons which will eliminate the aforementioned problems in order to preserve the integrity of the chain.

[012] Brief Description of the Invention

[013] The primary objects of this invention is to realize a chain which prevents the dislocation of the chain elements from each other during movement, assembly and maintenance and which comprises a guide which is easier and more economic to manufacture and which is more protected and durable than the prior art.

[014] The characteristic of this invention, fundamentally, is that the bed, which has a , circular bow shape and which is concentric with the shaft, to be formed on both ends of the inner or outer connection element guides the wedge above the corresponding element.

[015] Detailed Description of the Invention

[016] The chain realized in order to attain the object of this invention is illustrated with the accompanying figures, wherein;

[017] Figure 1 - is a perspective top view of the prior art chain.

[018] Figure 2 - is a perspective top view of the inventive chain.

[019] Figure 3 - is a perspective exploded view of a part of the inventive chain.

[020] Figure 4 - is a perspective detail view of the connection element of the inventive chain.

[021] The components in the figures have each been numbered corresponding to the following:

1. Chain

2. Inner connection element 3. Outer connection element

4. Bushing

5. Shaft

6. Casing

7. Bucket connection element

8. Bushing hole

9. Casing hole

10. Bed

11. Wedge

12. Groove

13. Projection

14. Latch

[022] The inventive chain (1) comprises; at least a pair of bushing (4) which are positioned parallelly and which are at one chain step distance (a) from each other;

- at least a pair of inner connection element (2) comprising holes (8) wherein the end section of the bushing can be attached;

- shafts (5) which are attached inside the bushings (4) in a way that they can rotate freely around their own axis (X) and which have lengths longer than the bushing (4); outer connection elements (3) wherein the portions of the shafts (5) which remain outside the bushing (4) pass and which comprise the holes (9) and which connects the two side by side inner connection element; and

- Casings (6) which enclose the end portions of the shafts (5) which remain outside the outer connection element (3).

[023] In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the chain also comprises bucket connection elements (7) having holes which are to be attached to a pair of casing (6) above the outer connection element in order to fasten the buckets (not shown) wherein materials are to be placed.

[024] In an embodiment of the invention, the inner (2) and the outer elements (3) are manufactured completely with same shape and dimensions. However, their positioning in the chain formation is made in equal pairs. At the surface of the connection elements (2 and 3) there are two holes (8 and 9) having a chain step distance (a) between them. These holes (8 and 9) are the holes wherein the bushing (4) is attached at the inner connection element (2) and elevates above the casings (6) at the outer connection element (3).

[025] According to the characteristic of the invention, there is a bed (10) which extends from one long side to the other at the outer part of the holes of the connection elements (2 and 3) and which is concentric with the holes (8 and 9) and which has a circular bow shape. A wedge (11) which is again concentric with the holes (8 and 9) and which has a circular bow shape is located at the other side of the holes of the connection elements. The beds (10) on the corresponding element guide these wedges (11) which are above the inner or outer connection element. Grooves are carved on the outer surfaces of each of the wedges by leaving a space at the top section in order to realize a more protected guide design; as a result, the cross-section of the wedge will have a T- form. In accordance with this form, grooves are also carved on the inner walls of the beds by leaving a space at the top section. The space left at the top section brings about a projection (13) on each of the wedge (11) and the beds (10).

[026] Industrial Applicability

[027] The assembly of the inventive chain (1) has similarities with the assembly of chains with classical bushings. A pair of bushings (4), which are a chain step distance from each other and which are parallelly positioned, are connected to each other by passing tight fitting through their bushing holes (8) such that the flat surface of the connection element remains inside. Shafts which are longer than the bushings and which have a diameter that enables it to rotate freely inside the bushings (4) are placed inside the bushings by means of loose fitting.

[028] A casing (6) is fixed tightly inside the casing holes (9) of the outer connection elements (3) such that the enclosed portion remains inside the flat surface of the outer connection element. The outer connection element (3) whereon casings (6) are attached are coupled to the bottom assembly which comprises bushings (4) which are pre- connected to each other, inner connection elements (2) and shafts. The process of coupling is realized by rotating the outer connection element (3) around the shaft (5) axis such that the wedges (11) enter the beds (10) when the corresponding connection elements are perpendicular to each other and after the casing hole (9) is fitted to the shaft head. In this way, the connection elements which are equal pairs of each other are attached when the projections on the wedge and the bed are inserted inside the relevant groove (12). The bucket connection elements (7) used in mounting the assembled chain to the buckets are coupled to the chain such that the holes thereon fit on the casing heads.

[029] It is possible to develop wide range of embodiments for the mechanism which is the subject of the invention without departing from this main concept and the invention is principally as disclosed in the claims and it cannot be restricted with the examples stated herein.

[030]

Claims

[001] A chain (1), which is particularly used in carriage, comprising; at least a pair of bushing (4) which are positioned parallelly and which are at one chain step distance (a) from each other;at least a pair of inner connection element (2) comprising holes (8) wherein the end section of the bushing can be attached; shafts (5) which are attached inside the bushings (4) such that they can rotate freely around their own axis (X) and which have lengths longer than the bushing (4);outer connection elements (3) wherein the portions of the shafts (5) which remain outside the bushing (4) pass and which comprise the holes (9) and which connects the two side by side inner connection elements; and ;casings (6) which enclose the end portions of the shafts (5) which remain outside the outer connection element (3);and characterized with beds (10) which extend from one long side to the other at the outer part of the holes of the connection elements (2 and 3) and which are concentric with the holes (8 and 9) and which have circular bow shapes; and wedges (11) which fit inside these beds, which are located at the other side of the holes of the connection elements, which are concentric with the holes (8 and 9) and which have circular bow shapes.

[002] A chain (1) as defined in Claim 1 characterized with a wedge (11) comprising at least one groove (12) carved on the outer surfaces of each of the wedges by leaving a space at the top section.

[003] A chain (1) as defined in Claims 1 and 2 characterized with a bed (10) comprising at least one groove (12) carved, in accordance with the geometry and the dimensions of the wedge, on the inner walls of the beds by leaving a space at the top section.

[004] A chain (1) as defined in any of the preceding claims characterized with a bucket connection element (7) comprising holes which are to be attached to a pair of casing (6) above the outer connection element in order to attach the buckets (not shown) into which materials are to be placed.